Qantas Points, Where to Spend Them

mskeggs on 23/03/2018 - 23:21

We've got more than 500k Qantas frequent flyer points accumulated.
We have upgraded on the odd flight and redeemed once in a while, but I am a bit jack of the program and the lack of ability to transfer points into benefits we can regularly use when we want to use them.
So I am going to change to amex rewards and kris flyer or something.

But what should I do with the QFF points? I used to expect to spend them in a flurry on a couple of round the world One Alliance tickets, and maybe I should still do that, but maybe OzB can suggest something better?

Extra detail, I no longer have any status on airlines and don't travel enough to get any. Have flown Qantas so much I genuinely hate them, even though I have had more pleasant times lately, god i hate them.

Financial Frequent Flyer Qantas Frequent Flyer Reward Points

Comments

  • iforgotmysocks on 23/03/2018 - 23:23

    Sell them for $5000 and spend on whatever.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/327848

    • bobbified on 24/03/2018 - 01:18
      -4

      I wouldn't hesitate to buy 500k points for $5k! haha

      I think you mean, $50k (at the rate of $0.01 per point).

      • afoveht on 24/03/2018 - 01:29

        I'm in the same boat as OP.

        If you have $50k, hell if you have $10k, I've got 500k points for you!

        • bobbified on 24/03/2018 - 02:46

          you've got 500k points too??

          This is why I've never really been keen on trying to accrue QFF points. They seem to be too common here and there's a lot of competition to redeem.

          I used to accrue on a major asian airline. It was much easier to redeem flights, especially at short notice.

          But getting hold of QFF points at a super discounted rate is a different story altogether! :)

      • bobbified on 24/03/2018 - 02:55
        +2

        My bad.. iforgotmysocks is right - it is $5k for 500,000 points, not $50k!

        I take back my correction! :(

  • Donaldhump on 23/03/2018 - 23:35

    That’s a healthy stash, congrats

  • Sapz on 23/03/2018 - 23:37
    +2

    The best use of Qantas points for me is to book an around the world Business Class flight for 280,000 Qantas Points with the oneworld Classic Flight Reward
    https://www.pointhacks.com.au/qantas-round-the-world-classic…

    • smuggler on 24/03/2018 - 11:57
      -3

      Sounds lonely

  • pao2x on 24/03/2018 - 00:24
    -5

    Gift cards. Especially when its on sale

  • alz on 24/03/2018 - 07:07

    How much is each point worth in terms of $$$$

    • Slo20 on 05/04/2018 - 07:14

      About $5000 but if you use it on round the world flight you would get almost 4 times in value

  • donbot on 24/03/2018 - 07:36
    +1

    Work out where you want to go first… Otherwise it's like asking 'hey ozb, I've got a car. Where should I drive it?'

    With a points stash like that, you can go pretty much anywhere if awards are available…

    • mskeggs on 24/03/2018 - 10:40
      +1

      I understand what you mean, but I am looking for good ideas to get value out of them.
      E.g. a flight to LA is both hard to redeem and poor value because they are dirt cheap at the moment, but a round the world ticket is better value and less well known.
      So I am asking for ideas like the one alliance round the world ticket that I might not know about or have thought of.

      • donbot on 24/03/2018 - 11:07
        +1

        LA is hard to redeem if looking at the most direct path. Ever considered flying via Tokyo, or Hong Kong? Both JL and CX offer routes to USA with a solid product, bookable with QFF points.

        What I was getting at is at the end of the day, where there is a will, there is a way to get there with points… It may just not be the most direct. An issue with economy flights as noone want to spend longer than necessary crammed in, but in premium cabins where you can street out… Does it really matter?

  • smuggler on 24/03/2018 - 09:54

    Go on a trip with the kids on business class.

    Don't understand why people stockpile so many points. Just live a little!

    • mskeggs on 24/03/2018 - 10:35
      +2

      The points have accumulated over 20 years, and we rarely redeem them as every time I go to book a trip, I find I can get a better deal on another airline.
      I know I can sell them for 1c each, so if a qantas redemption flight is $300 in fees and 70000points, but air nz or somebody is $850 cash, I have chosen the cash option.

      • smuggler on 24/03/2018 - 10:37
        +2

        You have your answer. Business class/premium economy world tour.

      • Baghern on 24/03/2018 - 14:16
        +1

        Sounds like you are aware of all that is to know about points.

        Not sure what you posted this topic for.

        Would have helped if you posted that you were aware of points 1c transfer and business/firstclass as well as tax issues.

        I'll prob go down the 1c route eventually, tax and charges kill any value in points

        BC and FC seat availability costs you flexibility

    • Toons on 27/03/2018 - 14:19
      +1

      Do you know how hard it can be to get reward flights if you're not planning 12 months out minimum even then they stiff you!!

      (live a little we go on 3 holidays a year)

      Example I wanted to got to Dubai i had 2 choices nearly 300,000 points for the usual direct flight or 64.000 4 stops and 2 days +a small fortune in Airport taxes, it made the choice for me it was too ridiculous and quite frankly when i can fly 2 people round the world for less points than the return trip to Dubai you start to understand how difficult they can be to use.

      I earn more points than i can spend and to be Honest sometimes you can blow a pile of points then by the time you pay for airport taxes etc. paying cash for the flight another way works out better especially if you are chasing status credits over points which what holds more value to me retains membership level for lounge, baggage and check in. etc.

      I used to blow them if i wasn't going to make it to platinum

      So last year I after the shitty Dubai deal I changed my outlook on them bought during the various sales Qantas has things that benefit me.

      Top end Surface pro, Sale made it cheaper point for point than retail any retail sale.
      Bose QC latest version for my wife
      $500 x2 HN gift cards 1 was free due to competition
      and i still have enough to fly all of us around the world.
      Every time i fly i put in for the upgrade the only times they become available are on shitty old planes so not worth it one bit.

      This year i'll do the same

  • Randxyz123 on 24/03/2018 - 12:33
    +1

    Just go on a trip with your family.

    Using them in the Qantas store is terrible value.

  • capslock on 24/03/2018 - 13:41
    +2

    Go fly to regional Qld, NSW and WA. Those flights are never cheap so you will feel like you get good value out of your points.

    Internationally, you don't see many sale fares to the Carribean, northern South America, central Asia and western & central Africa. You should visit those places to get the most value.

    There will always be sale fares to most major cities in the world so if those are the only places you are interested in then you will always feel like paying cash is better.

    • afoveht on 24/03/2018 - 14:53

      This is good advice. Regional fights are expensive.

  • smuggler on 24/03/2018 - 13:49

    Go to the Bahamas. it's dope

    • Baghern on 24/03/2018 - 14:19

      Yeah then we can see you on Boarder Force

    • Samsungnote10 on 24/03/2018 - 19:13

      Bahamas…. Its dope….. Your user name….

      You surely must be on the black list of every country0🤩:)

      • smuggler on 24/03/2018 - 19:14

        You surely must be on the black list of every country0🤩:)

        Americans know how to party up there on that island.

        The only thing I smuggle is everything I buy overseas and never declare at customs to avoid paying GST. ;)

        • Samsungnote10 on 24/03/2018 - 19:15

          Do you pay gst drugs on the white powder :)

        • smuggler on 24/03/2018 - 19:26

          @hellohello123:

          No. The drugs GST is paying off the AFP and the Chinese. The Chinese are the best at smuggling shit into Australia.

        • Samsungnote10 on 24/03/2018 - 19:28

          @smuggler:

          Ahh I'll keep that in mind next time I'm smuggling

  • BakeYouSmile on 24/03/2018 - 17:13
    -5

    Hey, I'm looking to buy 200k points. Are you willing to sell?

  • lilkid28 on 26/03/2018 - 00:54

    Emirates first class!

  • points4life on 26/03/2018 - 19:35
    +1

    Having a destination in mind would help. Points are terrible value when redeemed for Economy flights (+ there's really nothing enjoyable about flying Y) so best use in my book would be business or first. Emirates, Cathay or Japanese Airlines first class would be my go-to redemption with Emirates being the easiest one to find award seats. Keep in mind 500k isn't that much; a return trip to Europe from the east coast is going to set you back around 380k QF in first class.

    • MathNerd on 26/03/2018 - 20:50

      Username checks out.

      Emirates and Cathay - no surprises they're in your list. But Japan Airlines? I didn't even think of them! Have you ever done JAL F?

      • points4life on 27/03/2018 - 13:39

        JAL First is highly on my to-do list, it's supposed to be one of the better experiences but harder to find availability. Trying Thai Business + First and Qatar Business + First next month which I'm looking forward to.

  • grasstown on 30/03/2018 - 13:17
    +1

    I think best value for classic reward bookings, one way international flights, and flights you may need to cancel (as I think it's only 5000 points to cancel and you get all your points back )

    • mskeggs on 03/04/2018 - 19:48

      Thanks for this. The cancellation thing is one I hadn't considered before, and is a good point.

  • jonnoyeo on 05/04/2018 - 09:03

    Also in a similar predicament - the only thing that seems worth it is to go RTW in J, but we don't really want to?

    Have about 1mill points which is tempting to just sell off in one block.

  • dust on 05/04/2018 - 13:32
    +1

    Any of the above options are good. Just don't use them in the Qantas store!

  • muncan on 08/04/2018 - 16:41
    +2

    20 years… why not spoil yourself on first class flights?
    I've cleared out my 5 years of QFF points from CC whoring for 6x first class Emirates A380 flights to Europe.. 3 weeks till we go! 🚙🛫🥂🍱🚿
    Though I did spent more on taxes/fees than economy sale fares for the same route. #sigh

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